Cutting-Torch

High levels of lead are emitted when welding or burning takes place on lead-painted steel structures. The exposure can come from a large variety of construction projects from bridge rehabilitation to demolition of a high-rise building. Welding is a process that joins two pieces of metal together, generating many hazardous compounds from the metal itself. Both welding and cutting cause the metal, and its coating to be released in the air as fumes, making it available for inhalation by workers.

Cuttings are performed with the operator’s back close to vertical and the hands not move above shoulder height.

Where possible, Cut from a standing posture with the feet braced and the body balanced. (In some circumstances it may be necessary to kneel on one knee to enable cuts to be made close to the floor. In this situation, protection for the knee will be necessary).When cutting horizontally across a wall, the operator’s hands are at waist height